By Joshua Dermer
The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act, otherwise known as STAND-UP, was passed in April, 2009. The legislation gives states three years to raise their minimum driving ages and impose stages that lead up to full driving privileges for teens. With stricter rules on young drivers, accidents involving Florida teens will decrease dramatically.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol Agency, over the past five years there have been 3,143 deaths related to inexperienced teen drivers behind the wheel. If that number can be diminished, even in the slightest, the legislation is worth enforcing.
The current age for a learner’s permit in Florida is 15. With the new law, the age will be raised to 16. Some states, including New York, have already enacted this requirement. The effects are apparent. In the past five years New York car accidents have resulted in 1, 231 teen deaths. This translates to nearly 2,000 fewer deaths in New York, a state that has over one million more people than Florida.
The STAND-UP Act also prevents teen drivers from driving with a minor in the car unless someone over the age of 21 is present. Teens can quickly get lost in their adolescent environment and refrain from paying full attention to the road, but with the supervision of an adult this is less likely. Another issue the STAND-UP Act will address is talking on the cell phone while driving. There are 2,600 deaths in the US related to driving while talking on the cell phone, but there is currently no prohibition on teens. Teen drivers are particularly at risk because of their inexperience and slow reaction time. Good driving comes with good experience, and while in the early stages of driving it is important that teens learn under less strenuous conditions and gradually build up. Talking on the phone is simply something teens cannot handle, and they should not have the option. It is just another measure to keep American teens safe during the early years of driving.
It is clear that the longer we force young drivers to wait and the more limits we set, the better chance we have at keeping American teens alive.
